Rockbox 3.0 Vs iPod Photo Part 2

"It isn't until someone tries to improve something, that the beauty of the original

is laid bare." - Me, just then.

I have been working with Rockbox 3.0 on my iPod Photo for the last couple of weeks, and I just wanted to finish up my last post on the subject with some more thoughts about using Rockbox as an alternative to the Apple firmware.  I have by no means hammered the device, more just using it as you would day-to-day.  I have been tweaking the settings and having quick looks at Wiki, but really I have just been trying to replicate a new iPod/mp3 player experience again.

That was a mistake, for there is only one experience we need and I'm sorry to say that it is Apple.  During the last couple of weeks playing with Rockbox, the flaws in the ipod really came to the fore.  Unfortunately, I don't think Rockbox is going to be a replacement for the user experience that Apple provides.  It is almost too harsh to say that Rockbox turns your iPod into just another Mp3 player like the rest, but it explains my point.

If you are going to play with Rockbox, it'll be a whole new learning experience for you.  In effect, it's like replacing Windows with Linux, and that is the best way to look at it.  Be prepared for the learning curve, you are going to need to learn how to do the things you did before differently.

I found that I could almost overlook the above once I did get it to play.  I didn't get to run any tests, but my ears heard a noticeable improvement in the playback.  Once I got to play with the settings, I heard some of the best sound I've ever had out of my iPod, which surprised me, as I was under the impression that the hardware was more to blame.  Maybe it is just wishful thinking, but the sound seems to be much better after installing Rockbox.

Reliability of Rockbox 3.0, for me, is as good as the Apple Firmware.  Apart from some spin-up time needed by the hard-drive to find songs, which can slow the interface, I haven't had any crashes, and the software/plug-ins I have played with worked fine.  I did have some trouble with the Install Utility on my Mac, regardless of the format of the iPod, so I had to do the initial install on a Windows machine then before syncing.

I'm going to keep playing with Rockbox, mainly for the better sound quality, but on my secondary iPod as I do find it too fiddly to work with on a day-to-day basis.

In the end, it has to come down to the needs of the individual.  For most of us, the user experience offered by the Apple firmware is going to be best.  So for those I would not suggest playing with Rockbox 3.0, but if the idea of an alternative to the Apple democracy appeals, then watch this space.

For those who are willing to do the work for a better sound, more flexibility and freedom, then Rockbox 3.0 is for you.  You will need to get used to a new Mp3 player, but I'm sure that you are prepared for that.

I think I have proved the theory that form is better than function.  Does this mean that my training is complete? Will I now be accepted into the dark side? Oh wait for me, Lord Jobs...

Jason Remnant

..if it's Apple, why fix it?

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[RYErnest]

Nice post u have here :D Added to my RSS reader